Connell criticises ‘Mickey Mouse’ Clarence House form

Barry Connell has branded Saturday’s Clarence House Chase as a “Mickey Mouse race”, and is confident Marine Nationale will successfully defend his title in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Marine Nationale lifted the two-mile chasing crown in sensational style in the Cotswolds last season, beating Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon by 18 lengths.

Connell was an interested observer of Saturday’s Ascot feature, which saw Jonbon claim victory for the second year in succession while hot favourite Il Etait Temps suffered a tired fall two fences home.

Speaking after saddling a winner at Thurles on Sunday, Connell said: “It was a Mickey Mouse race which was over-hyped, as it normally is.

“I can’t see any of those horses having a chance at Cheltenham in March – I couldn’t see it before the race and couldn’t see it afterwards either.

“I think if we jump a clear round, we win.”

Marine Nationale was narrowly denied by Solness on his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown over Christmas and is being readied for a rematch with that rival at the Dublin Racing Festival in a fortnight’s time.

Connell added: “He is in savage form and was entitled to come out of the Christmas race a bit tired, as he had a lot of ground to make up following the early (second fence) mistake.

“He has bounced out of it brilliantly and we couldn’t have him in better shape now. We are greatly looking forward to the Dublin Racing Festival.”

Marine National is Paddy Power’s 6-4 favourite for the Champion Chase, with the Willie Mullins-trained Majborough next on the list at 9-2 and Il Etait Temps a 7-1 chance following his Ascot tumble.